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1970 Dodge Challenger

1970 Challenger Hardtop

Description

1970 was the first year of the first generation Dodge
Challenger which was produced until 1974.

The 1970 Challenger was available in hardtop and convertible
forms, and it came in four versions: base, R/T (Road/Track),
SE (Special Edition), which was also available in conjunction
with the R/T, and T/A (Trans Am).

The grill of the 1970 Dodge Challenger was unique to this year.
The full-width taillights with a backup light in the middle
were also specific to this year only.

The R/T Challenger came with the 383 Magnum engine with 335
horsepower and 425 ft-lbs of torque. The R/T also came with
the rallye instrument cluster which had four large round dials,
and heavy duty brakes and suspension. Side stripes or rear
Bumble-Bee stripes came at no cost.

The Challenger T/A (Trans Am) was a limited edition car produced
to qualify the Challenger for Trans Am races. It included a
special 340 Six-Pack engine rated at 290 horsepower and 345 ft-lbs
of torque, a special flat-black fiberglass hood with huge hood
scoop, front and rear spoilers, special side stripes, side-exiting
exhaust pipes, upgraded suspension, and larger tires. The
Challenger T/A was only made in 1970.

The 225 cubic inch slant-six with 145 horsepower and 215 ft-lbs
of torque was the base engine in the six-cylinder Challengers,
while the 230 hp two-barrel 318 cubic inch engine with 320 ft-lbs
of torque was the base engine in the V8 Challengers.

Optional engines for 1970 included the 340 rated at 275 hp and 340
ft-lbs of torque, the 383 two-barrel with 290 hp, the 383
four-barrel with 330 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, the 383 Magnum
with 335 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, the 440 Magnum with 375 hp
and 480 ft-lbs of torque, the 440 Six-Pack with 390 hp and 480
ft-lbs of torque, and the 426 Hemi with 425 hp and 490 ft-lbs
of torque.

The power bulge hood had functioning hood scoops, but they were
not ram air scoops. The functional shaker scoop, which was
optional, fed cold air directly into the engine.

Total production of 1970 Challengers: 76,935 (the most for the
first generation Challengers)

1970 Challenger Key Differences

The front grill of the 1970 Dodge Challenger was specific to this
year. The full-width taillights with a backup light in the middle
were also specific to this year which make identifying a 1970
Challenger easy.

Similar Years

1970 to 1974 Dodge Challengers share the same body and are quite
similar. Slight grill and tail light changes from year to year
can be used to identify each year, but 1973s and 1974s are
virtually identical other than the 360 cubic inch engine which
is unique to 1974.

How to Identify a 1970 Dodge Challenger

Overview

1970 was the first year of the first generation Dodge Challenger
(1970 - 1974)

The Challenger could be had as a hardtop or as a convertible
(1970 - 1971)

Hardtop in Plum Crazy purple shown

1970 Challenger Grill

The grill design was unique to this year (1970)

1970 Challenger Grill Emblem

The "Challenger" name plate was on the left side of the front grill
(1970 - 1974)

The grill was a fine, square grid pattern (1970)

1970 Challenger Front Bumper

For the first three years, the front bumper fit closely to the car and
protruded relatively little (1970 - 1972)

1970 Challenger Bumper Guards

The optional front bumper guards were chrome and small (1970 - 1972)

1970 Challenger Front Side Marker Light

Trapezoidal front side marker lights were used (1970 - 1971)

The lights had a chrome surround and were recessed into the fender (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Rear Side Marker Light

Rear side marker lights were also trapezoidal (1970 - 1971)

The lights had a chrome surround and were recessed into the fender (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Tail Lights

Two long tail light units spanned the width of the car (1970)

The white section in the middle was the rervese light (1970)

1970 Challenger Back Up Light

A large, rectangular back-up light was mounted in the center of the rear
panel (1970)

1970 Challenger Dash

The rallye dash, standard on the R/T, consisted of four large round dials
in a single row (1970 - 1974)

Simulated wood-grain finish was standard on the R/T (1970 - 1971) and
optional on the SE (1970)

Wood-grained steering wheel was standard (1970 - 1971)

Dash had "Challenger" embossed on the far right-hand side
(not shown, 1970 only)

Field Guide to American Autos

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